Hull City vs Middlesbrough

Hull are winless in their last two home league games against Middlesbrough (D1 L1), having won the two home games them prior to that.

Middlesbrough are looking to complete a league double over Hull for the second time in the last three seasons, having beaten them home and away in 2022-23.

Hull have won their opening league game of the year in six of the last 10 years (L4) although they did lose 3-1 away at Sheffield Wednesday in 2024.

Middlesbrough have lost their opening league game of the year in just one of the last 11 years (W6 D4) but did lose 3-1 to Coventry on New Year's Day last year.

In Football League history, only two sides – West Brom (29) and Preston (28) have lost more games on New Year’s Day than Middlesbrough (27).